After everything we’ve talked about—the floods, the ghost projects, the red flags—you might be wondering:
So what does a good leader actually look like?
Not perfect. Not dramatic. Not viral.
Just… solid.
Good governance doesn’t announce itself loudly. It shows up in patterns—small, consistent behaviors that make communities safer, fairer, and more boring (in the best way).
Here are 10 green flags I watch for. Each one comes with a short example and a checklist you can actually use.
1. They Make Information Easy to Find
Mayor Rosa Villanueva didn’t wait to be asked. Her city website posted budgets, contractors, timelines—updated quarterly. No PDFs hidden in corners. Plain language.
Nothing fancy. Just accessible.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Budgets and plans are publicly available
- ☐ Information is explained, not just uploaded
- ☐ Updates happen regularly, not only during crises
If you have to dig too hard, that’s already a signal.
2. They Talk About Trade-Offs, Not Just Benefits
When Governor Daniel Cruz proposed a new hospital, he also said what would be delayed to fund it: one road project, postponed by a year.
No sugarcoating. Just honesty.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Can explain what they will prioritize
- ☐ Can name what they will delay or stop
- ☐ Doesn’t pretend resources are unlimited
Real leaders choose. Marketers promise.
3. They Welcome Audits and Questions
Councilor Liza Mendoza invited COA and civil society groups to review her committee’s projects—even when not required.
When issues came up, she addressed them publicly.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Does not attack auditors or journalists
- ☐ Answers questions directly
- ☐ Treats scrutiny as normal, not hostile
Defensiveness is loud. Confidence is calm.
4. They Separate Personal Relationships from Public Decisions
Mayor Arnel Reyes publicly disqualified a longtime friend’s company from bidding on a city project. He explained why—conflict of interest—and stuck to it.
Awkward? Yes. Necessary? Also yes.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Clear rules on conflicts of interest
- ☐ Willing to say no to allies
- ☐ Decisions are documented, not whispered
Integrity often costs comfort.
5. They Build Systems, Not Spot Projects
Instead of endless ribbon cuttings, Mayor Joy Alvarez focused on fixing procurement timelines and maintenance schedules.
Fewer photos. Better results.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Talks about processes, not just projects
- ☐ Improves how things work long-term
- ☐ Success doesn’t depend on their presence
If things collapse when they leave, that’s not leadership.
6. They Credit Teams, Not Just Themselves
When a flood mitigation plan worked, Governor Paolo Lim thanked engineers, barangay leaders, and citizen volunteers by name.
No savior story. Just shared effort.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Regularly credits staff and partners
- ☐ Doesn’t claim sole ownership of success
- ☐ Builds capable second-liners
Ego shrinks institutions. Humility grows them.
7. They Correct Mistakes Publicly
A school-building project under Mayor Nina Torres ran over budget. She explained why, published corrections, and adjusted timelines—without blaming predecessors.
People didn’t applaud. They trusted.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Admits errors early
- ☐ Explains what will change
- ☐ Doesn’t rewrite history
Mistakes happen. Cover-ups are choices.
8. They Engage Citizens Before, Not After, Decisions
Before approving a transport policy, Mayor Eric Navarro held consultations—not as a formality, but with changes reflected in the final plan.
Citizens saw their input matter.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Consultations happen before approval
- ☐ Feedback leads to visible changes
- ☐ Engagement is ongoing, not one-off
Participation builds legitimacy.
9. They Stay Calm Under Criticism
When criticized online, Congresswoman Maya Flores responded with data, not insults. Sometimes she didn’t respond at all—letting reports speak.
Power didn’t make her reactive.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Does not bully critics
- ☐ Responds with facts or silence
- ☐ Maintains respectful tone
Temper is a preview of governance.
10. They Leave Things Better—and Measurable
After three terms, Mayor Oscar Bautista left behind clear indicators: reduced flooding incidents, faster permit processing, improved health access.
No mystery. Just numbers and outcomes.
Green flag checklist:
- ☐ Can show before-and-after results
- ☐ Uses measurable indicators
- ☐ Impact lasts beyond their term
Good leaders plan for their exit.
The Quiet Test
Green flags rarely trend.
They don’t excite fanbases. They don’t dominate comment sections.
But they protect lives. They prevent disasters. They make government boring—in the safest way possible.
Your shift today: Take one candidate you’re considering. Run them through all 10 checklists.
If you see more green than red, support them—carefully, critically, and without blind loyalty.
That’s not idealism.
That’s good citizenship.
If you want Filipino values to show up as real behavior at work…
Let’s turn it into a culture shift experience.
→ Shift Experiences
